Super interesting podcast.

I have high blood pressure...er hypertension...whatever. It's been around 140/90 lately. I also added some weight, and have been drinking like a fish.

However, I did manage to finally quick smoking a few months ago.

Anyway, Zona. I did some research on this thing and it seems like a no-go for me. The science is there, and there are several articles on pubmed which support the handgrip at 30% to reduce blood pressure over time.

HOWEVER, the Zona is a $650 machine. They have a 90-day money back guarantee, but a lot of reviews I read said that the company was non-communicative when contacted to get the refund.

That being said, you can go on Amazon and get a digital grip strength tester for like $25 on Amazon that will do roughly the same thing:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08X4JQDJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

...that's the one I bought. And, it is surprisingly hard to squeeze the thing for 2 mins at 30% of max.

But, here's how it works:

1. Turn the thing on and with one hand squeeze it as hard as you can. For me, max grip is around 140 lbs. Calculate 30% (for me 140x.3=42)
2. Set a timer and squeeze to 30% for 2 mins. This takes concentration, as the number fluctuates (for me at least) A LOT!
3. Rest 2 mins, and then repeat steps 1 and 2 for other hand
4. Rest 2 mins and then repeat for hand #1
5. Rest 2 mins and repeat for hand #2

Do that every day or 3-4 days a week for a few months.

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They also covered some other things which seemed pretty important:

1. L-Citrulline as a supplement to help boost nitric oxide, which in turn helps with blood pressure.
   
2. Potentially reducing sodium and upping potassium, which also helps with blood pressure.

I'm in. I'm trying it:

1. I bought no-salt to replace added salt on my food (and to put a pinch in water). No salt is a salt-free salty tasting substitute which is just potassium
2. At Vitamin Shoppe I bought L-Citrulline powder, and am taking that
3. I bought the above mentioned device and will be using it every day for the next month.

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We'll see how it goes...if nothing else, my forearms will be jacked by the time it's over. :)